“I’m leaving,” I say. “You don’t have to worry about me distracting anyone.”

“That’s good to hear, but it appears you have already caused a distraction. Dewey . . .” Scarlett steps forward, and the two Stewards accompanying her follow suit. “You don’t often leave the Lyceum.”

Dewey shrugs and says affably, “Just stretching my legs.”

“Well, I’m certain there are things that could use your attention back in the Lyceum. Which is where we all belong. Atlas, make sure your rider doesn’t get lost on her way out. Spine, if you could come with me. Holden and I have several items we need to go over before the lockdown starts.” She and the other two Stewards sweep past us. When Scarlett realizes Dewey and Spine have not moved, she turns back. “Are you coming?”

“No,” Spine says, folding her arms over her chest.

“No?” Scarlett lifts her chin. “What do you mean, no?”

Dewey smiles. “We have decided Hans Christian Andersen was correct. Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.” When Scarlett just gapes at him, Dewey lets out a sigh and says, “We are leaving the Lyceum, Scarlett. We aren’t interested in the safety of the shadows.”

“The Marshals are closing in,” Scarlett says. “Look what happened to Atticus.”

“Atticus wished for people to learn the truth,” Dewey says. “You refused to listen.”

“Because I understand how important it is to protect the truth at all costs,” Scarlett snaps back.

“The truth can only be protected if it is not hidden,” Atlas says. “We have to fight their lies with our facts. If we hide, they win.”

Scarlett turns toward Spine. “The lockdown is essential.”

“The lockdown will keep those inside the Lyceum safe,” Spine says. “But what of everyone else? We are tired of hiding.”

“‘We?’” Scarlett’s eyes widen. “The missing Stokers . . .” She whirls to face her two Stewards. “Get inside the Lyceum. Tell everyone Holden and I have ordered the rails to be changed to red. Set guards at the door and prepare to close them when I arrive. No one is allowed to leave the protection of the Lyceum as of now.”

“You can’t force people to stay who don’t want to,” I say as the two race off to do her bidding.

“I will do whatever I must to protect the Stewards. Even if it means protecting them from themselves.”

“You’re taking away their choices,” I say. “Isn’t that what you’re supposed to be fighting against?”

“I don’t need a child to tell me what I’m fighting against,” she snarls.

Atlas steps forward. “My father believed it was time to—”

“Your father would have led the Marshals right to us if he had been given the chance. I stopped him from putting the Stewards in danger.”

“It was you?” The words are barely a whisper as horror spreads through me. “You said you stopped Atticus. How did you stop him?”

“You called the Marshals?” Atlas demands. “What about you being worried that he would tell the Marshals what he knew and how he could reveal where the Lyceum is?”